Happy Easter!

Thank you to Gammie and Aunt Kelly for my Easter outfit! :)

Today we decided to get dressed up (it's rare we have such an occasion) to go over to our neighbors, Chris and Jean's house for an Easter brunch. Miss Jean gave her a little Easter goodie bag - how sweet! Emma loved the sunglasses, and was so happy they matched her outfit.

Nostalgia

Today, I had a moment - one of those moments that you are so grateful for because they really put you in your place. I was frustrated with the inadequacies of my small house, my cell phone died, I felt like a shlump, and after looking down at my feet, I realized that I hadn't had a pedicure since before Emma was born. It was just one of those moments where I felt like complaining -but for no legitimate reason. I'm a pretty lucky person and I know it.

Tonight, I started going through my pictures and I scanned through the ones I took of my growing belly while I was pregnant. A wave of nostalgia came over me - and even sadness that it was over. I look back on that time with such fondness and comfort , it's hard to put into words. I didn't know then what an absolute joy I was carrying, how it would change me forever. I was lucky in that I had an easy pregnancy (despite the misery of the heat wave I had endure in my last month, it was well worth it). I looked at those pictures, and then looked at my sweet baby girl this evening giving me her biggest, gummiest smile and I just melted. The gift of life is truly amazing to me, and it keeps getting better. I miss being pregnant!

Anyway, I wanted to share one of the pics we took professionally, because it just makes me smile. I can't wait to hold that kind of joy again someday.

Oh, I did get that pedicure and it was wonderful. :)

Baby in a bucket

Emma is such a good sport to sit through another one of mommy's silly photo shoots.

Baby in a bucket

Emma is such a good sport to sit through another one of mommy's silly photo shoots.

Top O'the Morning to ya!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

Big Girl's Seat

To buy me some time in the kitchen, I put Em in her highchair with a few toys to play with. She really likes sitting up these days, so this is the perfect compromise. Most of the time she'll play by herself, but she's starting to learn that if she drops the toy, mommy will pick it up again....over.....and over. Occasionally, Parker comes up for a drive-by petting and being in her highchair is the perfect height for this.

our visit from Pache

Dad came to visit us this past week and we had a great time! He came to hang out with Emma and Mandy while I was at work, and then we'd go for walks or cook in the afternoons when I got back. We also peeked at a few open houses in the area just for giggles (he's also a realtor). We enjoyed having his company and can't wait to see him again.

Oh Pache, you crack me up!

And here is Emma displaying those bright blue eyes that she inherited from the man sitting behind her (must have skipped a generation!)

Big baby in a little bed

I love sleeping in :)

Bonding Time

I was doing laundry last weekend, and Roger was playing with emma. I finished, and went to look for them, but couldn't find them anywhere. Finally, I walked outside and found them hangin on the front stoop, just checking things out. I took the first two pictures without them knowing I was there. :)

Our first video!

We finally captured her squawking on tape!


Untitled from Eeks on Vimeo.

Our first video!

Finally - I have Em doing her bird call on camera!

Our first video!

Up until now, I haven't been able to catch Em doing her bird call on video, but our wonderful nanny Mandy did. She was in a particularly vocal mood this week!

Don't go

This picture just melted us when we took it. The look on her face captures how we all feel when Roger is away from us. We're very proud of his hard work, but we miss him so much.

Well, if you really have to go, maybe I can help you pack? You need to bring your hard hat and your first aid kit, because we want you to stay safe!

Can I come too?

Highlights

Emma has reached a few milestones lately. She can now roll from tummy to back and back to tummy. She is sleeping great at night - but even better, she is now consolidating naps! My catnapper has reformed! She now has a 1-2 hour nap in the morning and another 1 hr nap around 1pm and another half-hour nap in late afternoon. She goes to bed around 7-7:30, wakes up once to feed around 2am, and back to sleep until 6:30-7am. I really can't complain.

She's also exploring her world through her mouth and loooves being outside. She always gasps when a big salty breeze of ocean air hits her face. She can replace her own pacifier! I wish I could play a recording of her voice - she's particularly fond of squawking like a bird. She loves standing and sitting upright (with very little assistance). Still a huge fan of bathtime, and now has her rubber ducky friend to play with in the water. She can chase him all around with her hands, corner him and chew on his tophat to her heart's delight. Rattles are her favorite toy - especially if they have a little rubber teether section.

As for stats, she's on the petite side. Her last weigh in at the doctors showed her weight for 4 months 23 days as 13lb 11oz. Height is 25" so she's tall and skinny, like her dad. She does have a moderate case of eczema that we have been able to control using a litte regimen of moisture: warm mist humidifier, cool baths, and a calming cream/aquaphor at night. It seems to have really taken the edge off.

We'll start with solids officially after her next appointment (6 months). I have a feeling she'll be ready. This child doesn't refuse anything so far. In fact, she starts flapping her arms whenever we prepare her bottle. She even sucks down the occasional motrin drops (for teething) and reaches for more. What a riot.

She's our little gem, already so full of personality. She smiles at strangers and giggles when Parker accidentally bops her with his tail.

Ok, how's that for prose?

Self-portrait

How is this my child? About the only likeness we have in common is our rosy cheeks. :)

Oh, and she loves being kissed. Every time we kiss her, she does her best papparazi smile.

A picture is worth a thousand words

I haven't been typing out long explanations and I apologize for the lack of witty verbage. These days it's just easier to throw up a few pictures and a quick caption. I think pictures are way more fun to look at than rows and rows of text, but I understand that a little narration might be helpful too. I'll try to cooperate. :)

The leaning tower of baby

She starts out sitting unassisted.....

Whoa, I am on my own!
Hey, this is fun!

Ummm.....something's happening....

Here I go!

Ahhhh......this is relaxing after all.

Hey mom, what's that?

She's starting to notice the camera.

Daddy's little girl

How do I love thee? Let me count the names.

Feliz dia del amor to our little buttercup, pigeon, biscuit, chipmunk, peanut, doll baby, cha cha, choo choo, emma bear, chicken, stinky toes, sugar, shuggies, butterfly, lampchop, princess, sweet pea, gumball, squirmy worm, lollipop, chickadee, sweetbreath, buttertoes, baby bird, angelwing, rudy toots and most recently.....cupid's bow.

Wednesday's Word of the Day

Ululate:

Pronunciation Key - [uhl-yuh-leyt, yool-] –verb (used without object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing.

1. to howl, as a dog or a wolf; hoot, as an owl.
2. to utter howling sounds, as in shrill, wordless lamentation; wail.
3. to lament loudly and shrilly.

Used in a sentence: Emma's latest trick is to demonstrate her mastery of ululating! :)

Rice cereal is a hit!

She ate it up! What a little maniac. :)

Easy like Sunday evening

We took our usual walk tonight to the beach, and I managed to capture a little of what it feels like to stare out on the great pacific ocean. Our neighbor Michael joined us, and he brought his ukelele, which he played for Emma. She was mesmerized!

Parenting 101